South Asian Studies A Research Journal of South Asian Studies Vol. 29, No.2, July - December 2014, pp. 441-459 Evolution of Sectarianism in Pakistan: A Threat to the State and Society Muhammad Nadeem Shah University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore. Abstract Contemporary Pakistan has been passing through the worst phase of its history due to internal law and order and security issues. Terrorism and sectarianism had never struck the state with such intensity in the past as it has been since the last two decades. Suicide attacks on the worshippers in the Mosques and Imambargahs as well as target killing of religious leaders of either sect, at various places in the country has posed a serious threat to the peace loving nation of Pakistan. The feelings of vulnerability have continuously been increasing day by day. This situation has put the entire social structure of the country at stake. Why are the Muslims killing the Muslims? Who are the masterminds? And what is the remedy to this menace? All such questions are yet to be answered. This paper will try to unveil the elements involved in this bloody game of viciousness. The work will also throw light on the effects of sectarian ferocity on the state and society of Pakistan. Key Words: Extremism, Militancy, Pakistan, Religion, Sectarianism, Terrorism, Violence. Introduction If various religious factions in a society antagonize each other with such stringency that each of them reflects its beliefs as a complete religion and does not prepare to reconcile with the diverse view, would be a state of sectarianism. “The term Sect is used in the sociology of religion to designate a particular kind of religious group”(International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, 1968: 130).Usually a sect is a body of people who hold certain opinions divergent from those of others who are accounted to be of the same religion. Normally this word is used for a “separately organized religious group having its typical name and its own places of worship” (The Oxford English Dictionary, 1961: 361). Pakistan has been under a serious threat of sectarian fierceness since the time of its inception. The main contenders are the Sunnis and the Shias. The nature of hostility is not only inter-sects but also intra sects. The most unfortunate facet of this encounter is that all the sects involved in violence do have the claim of serving the religion. Killing of intellectuals, religious scholars, and innocent worshipers in the Mosques and Imambargahs is service to religion in their judgments. A religion of peace and tolerance has been transformed into a religion of extremism and radicalism. These fanatics not only consider their adversaries as infidels but also are convinced not to give them the right to alive. The vested interests of political bosses and foreign aid have further intensified the situation. Each sect justifies 441 South Asian Studies 29 (2) itself on the true path and is sure to go to the paradise. They construe the religion according to their own concern and consider the others as non-believers even inferior to that.“Sectarian differences have re-emerged now with atrocious intensity due to unchecked and uncontrolled religious intolerance promoted by the semi-literate, little educated religious leaders supported by selfish political leaders with vested interests” (Naek, 2001: 29). The sectarian situation became worsen when Haq Nawaz Jhangvi created Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan(SSP) in 1985 and demanded to pronounce Shias as non- Muslims and Pakistan as a Sunni State. He took part in politics and later on was murdered by his opponents. But his followers alleged Shia community, responsible for his assassination. Later on Lashkar-e-Jhangvi(LeJ) came on the scene with Riaz Basra as its chief, and exterminated many Shias including intellectuals, scholars and worshipers. ‘To respond such killing Shias from Thokar Niaz Beg, Lahore made Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan(SMP) and embattled Deobandis’(Rana, 2004: 415). Although both the organizations are banned in Pakistan since many years but bloodshed and target killing of people of either sect are persist without any restraint. Generally terrorists do come from sectarian and Jihadi groups, but their masterminds are somewhere else. Some exterior elements are normally alleged in this regard along with Pakistan’s secret agencies. LeJ extremists may have their links in Afghanistan while SMP in Iran. Due to the activities of such organizations thousands have been killed in the name of religion. ‘The victims and the distressed groups customarily blame America of aiding the offenders to blow out what they look as their agenda of global supremacy. Beside America, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran and India are also held responsible for providing financial aid to the organizations involved in sectarian violence” (www.crisisgroup.org). Several belligerent organizations in Pakistan were banned and their accounts frozen over the past few years. The main organizations banned are SSP, LeJ, SMP Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Tahrik-i-Taliban Pakistan(TTP). In a speech in June 2001, to leading religious scholars, former military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf lashed out against the religious extremists “It(the world) looks upon us as terrorists. We have been killing each other and now we want to spread violence and terror abroad”(Spotlight on Regional Affairs,2005: 21). Islam is a religion of peace. It stands for moderation and wellbeing of all. Violence and insecurity initiate from human greed, disgust, jealousy and conceit. Some people misuse religion as a source of worldly power. Freedom to practice one‘s religion is a fundamental human right. The more constructive approach to manage religious fanaticism is, for the mainstream groups and ruling elites, to practice Tolerance, Equality and Justice and have a respect for minority’s faith, their values and cultures. To undermine the sinful intentions of the extremists and anti-state elements, promotion of education, employment opportunities and values, like tolerance and moderation are prerequisites. Allah says in the Holy Quran, (4:93) 442 Muhammad Nadeem Shah Evolution of Sectarianism “And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein; and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him and a great punishment is prepared for him” Background In Muslim history different sects appeared due to the interpretations, which were made to comprehend the spirit of the commandments of Allah and His messenger Muhammad (PBUH). The companions of the Prophet (PBUH) varied from each other in wisdom and aptitudes. They have the conviction in obeying the sayings of the Prophet without any amendment. They stayed silent if could not catch any statement of the Prophet about certain issues. ‘It is correct that over some issues a certain group or individual was in the right or very close to the truth but in various matters every interpretation was derived from the basic teachings of Islam’ (Tirmazi, n.d: 28). With the passage of time these variances, because of human limitations, turned into prejudice and factionalism. The foundation of most of the sects was rested on sincerity but under the dominance of human desires a state of conflict and enmity had developed. Although there was unanimity of views on most of the religious codes yet the contentious matters were largely more focused and the excited followers unnoticed certain instructions of Islam in order to execute their personal will upon others. Therefore, they started defying religion and ideology and became argumentative to each other. This stubborn attitude of the followers had developed a bad tradition among Muslims. Hereafter a religion of peace and harmony has encompassed certain components of intemperance. Most of Muslim sects in the early days of Islam primarily emerged as political schools of thought. Later on, in course of their endeavor to find out scriptural and theological bases of their respective political opinions they gradually converted into theological sects. The first serious political disagreement that brook out in the Ummah was about the office of the caliph but after the Battles of Jamal and Safeen the political differences turned into religious disputes. Many sects appeared on the scene. Kharijites are considered as the first sect in Muslim history. Up to the battle of Safeen they were the supporter of Hazrat Ali (R.A) but they seceded from the Alids on the plea that “no one has the right to become arbitrator or decision maker in the matters of Din” (Ghazi, 1992: 166).When Kharijites started killing the innocent people in the name of religion, Hazrat Ali (R.A) crushed their power by defeating them at the battle of Nahrwan. Another important sect was Shias. ‘The people who supported Hazrat Ali (R.A) throughout his life and after his martyrdom remained loyal to his descendants were given the name Shian-e-Ali or Shia’ (Urdu Encyclopedia of Islam, 1975: 297).However after the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) in Karbala the Muslim community bifurcated permanently into Shias and Sunnis and the gulf could not be bridged since then. 443 South Asian Studies 29 (2) “The South Asian societies in contemporary environment are confronted with religion based violence, sectarianism, extremism, communalism and even regionalism” (Javaid, 2011: 10). South Asian societies have always been religious in outlook. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Sikhism and Christianity are the main religions of this region. Most of them have been confronting against each other in different course of history. The disagreements were not only inter-religion but also intra-religion. Even the similar schools of thought sometimes indulged in violence amongst themselves. The past of South Asia is full of religious, ethnic and cultural clashes. Religion has been used as an instrument during most of the movements. The seekers of supremacy have constantly misused the religious emotions of the people for the fortification of their vested interests.